the road ahead
Happy 2006, and welcome to the sparkling new Dream blog! We're going to play around with the look so that it fits the main Dream site in the next few weeks. This is going to be a highly collaborative venture, so don't be shy, get commenting...
Two of the Dream groups (Liverpool city centre and Haydock) are picking up the theme 'the road ahead' next week.
-Looking back at 2005, is there anything that you are especially thankful for (personally or within 'Dream')?
-Name one of your own ambitions for 2006?
-What are your desires and hopes for what Dream might become this year?
5 Comments:
thoughts on the road ahead... interesting really because I am one of those people who tends to go with the flow!! I'd love to see the Dream Network continue to grow, as and where it helps people to engage with God who otherwise wouldn't bother with church and things like that. Nothing profound really - but it's a comment all the same!! Cheers, M
4:25 PM
Looking back on DREAM in 2005 I'm thankful for ...
1. The chance to wrestle with some key questions about what DREAM is, how its C.O.R.E. values work out in practice.
2. Seeing the City group beginning to grow a bit and sense the way ahead.
3. Personally, the chance to contribute creative resources - a great outlet and learning exercise.
4. Collaborating with others in creative and critical thinking, and in putting together acts of worship.
5. A chance to build relationships in the City and Haydock groups.
8:24 PM
Looking back on Dream in 2005 I am thankful for the chance to actively engage with God in a safe and accepting environment. I am thankful that I've found a place that challenges me and nourishes me. I am thankful for new friends I have made.
I dream of more Dreams in 2006 - more opportunities to worship God in this way - maybe on a smaller scale to the monthly Dream? maybe at lunchtime at a local venue?
On a personal level, I would like to take more risks and also be more creative in how I express myself as a Christian woman. I want to hear what God has planned for me in 2006 and then have the courage to respond.
5:41 PM
I've posted my top personal ambition over at my place, so here are my answers to the other 2 questions.
things I'm thankful for from Dream in 2005
-New Friends
-The support and hard work of those involved (I'm mostly involved in the Haydock and Day-Dream groups and reckon over 20 people helped out in some way last year)
-The freedom to explore and experiment
-The risk-taking, 'have a go' attitude of those who come
-The diversity of those who come
-Encouragements from those who've taken the trouble to chat/email and even send a card to say what they've found helpful.
-Growth as a sign of life.
-St Marks and my boss(es) releasing the curate to spend work time having fun doing 'dream' stuff.
-The hospitality of Cecilia who's art studio we use for Day-Dream.
-The enthusiasm of those who have brought guests along.
-The pioneering spirit of those who are planting new expressions of Dream.
Hopes and Ambitions for Dream in 2006?
Well as Malcolm suggested, lets not artificially force anything. Wouldn't it be great though to see;
1. LOADS more 'dream’ type groups (whether they're called that or not). In churches, work places, homes, healthcentres, gymns, pubs, etc. So that more and more people who might be attracted to this kind of approach to spirituality will comes across it at a place that is accessible to them.
2. A deepening of our understanding and more importantly, our experience of what it means to reimagine church. So picking up our ‘core’ values, we’d become more
Christ-centred and grapple with some of the tough issues about what it will mean to be disciples, more...
Open and seek to become a place that is welcoming and attractive for those who are underrepresented in Dream at the moment (men, children, ethnic minorities, etc).
Relational as we seek to create community that functions as such outside of meetings (even cool, trendy 'alternative' style meetings).
Experimental as we try different types of group and various ways to worship, freeing ourselves to experience plenty of naffness along the way.
3. Joint events. Perhaps a couple of times a year all the groups gathering together for something extra special to remind ourselves that its great being part of something bigger.
Plenty more, but I think I’ll stop there!
7:56 PM
I have lots of things to be thankful for last year and one of the most significant is actually being part of 'dream' for several reasons.
1. Just coming to dream is a unique experience every time and a space to be still and meet with God as each evening directs outside of my usual responsibilities which allows me to be refreshed and renewed.
2. If I hadn't had come to dream I would never had had the courage to invite a friend to essence which that is now an on-going journey for both of us.
3. Helping with the 'Dream Tent' at St Helens Show was also another challenging experience which blessed me.
As I am very old!!! thinking/ being post modern doesn't come easily but dream is just one of the things which challenges my thinking and is bringing me up to speed.
I have just seen a wonderful DVD called 'Bullhorn' by Rob Bell which says beautifuuly all that I want to be as a Christian in 2006 and share with people so that as people engage with me they also encounter God for themselves and experience His Love and continue on their journey with Him.
So more of the same with dream and let's go together.
2:43 PM
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